“And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22, KJV)
Gracious words… Is that what they heard? You know, “grace” becomes more pronounced as you see the reality of judgement. If there really isn’t any judgement, at least not a bad one or a final one, then grace is not that unsimilar from a courtesy. But if there is a God who sees all, knows all, has a forthcoming eternal judgement, and you run across a term like grace, then that really means something. I don’t know of anything that riles someone up as effectively as thinking that they have a right to something only to discover the harsh reality that they don’t. We’re the home town. We’re the chosen people. His dad (and the rest of his family) are right here. We’re exempt. These are really great scriptures. Great stories. But how real is the strictness of God’s requirements in the light of family? It’s almost funny. In the span of just seven short verses, we go from “gracious words” to “wrath” and they try to kill him. It’s a sad day when we put family rules above God’s rules. When we look at family as a reality above God’s word.
Jesus just told them in verse 21 that the scripture that he just read was literally fulfilled in their ears. What was the scripture that he read? What did it contain? It was both a mission statement and a healing along with a release for many. When Jesus offers an opportunity at grace, don’t be sidetracked by the closeness and the entangling entitlements of family. If they come, wonderful! If not, know who is Lord.
“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matthew 19:29-30 KJV)